Press Releases

On behalf of the Grigg Lewis Foundation Board of Directors, we would like to take this opportunity to inform you that the Grigg Lewis Foundation, Inc. has moved from 76 West Avenue, Lockport, NY, to a new location. Our new address is:

Grigg Lewis Foundation, Inc.

1 East Avenue, Suite 303

Lockport NY 14094

Although our office has moved, the building is still undergoing construction and is yet to be opened to the public. We anticipate that we can welcome visitors sometime in July 2023.  Please be so kind as to forward all mail correspondence to this new address as of April 24, 2023. The Foundation’s email address and phone number will remain the same.  It will be a pleasure to serve our community from our new premises in downtown Lockport.

In early 2020, the Grigg Lewis Foundation was informed by the Lockport Family Focus Group, a network of local nonprofits, that many local service agencies were seeking assistance for their clients as they reenter the work force.  Lockport Family Focus Group members came together to donate gently used, professional women’s clothing and to volunteer their time and expertise to assist with the boutique design and upkeep, and with resume building for interested clients. We were overwhelmed by interest, both within our group and throughout the community, and were able to quickly identify a space at Christ Community Church to house the new clothing closet.

The closet now offers free, professional clothing and accessories for clients of any nonprofit service agency that may need help during their interviewing process or to begin employment. With a boutique atmosphere, it provides a private and comfortable environment where women can develop their professional appearance, interviewing skills, and most importantly – their confidence.

In 2021, The Morlock Foundation also located in Christ Community Church, very graciously offered to expand on this initiative. They now manage the upkeep, and provide access and shopping assistance to help women choose flattering outfits that are appropriate for their situation. Local non-profits are encouraged to reach out to the Morlock Foundation directly to schedule a visit with their client. Their staff is able to assist with resume building and mock interviews by appointment.

The Grigg Lewis Foundation was proud to support the Lockport Family Focus Group’s 9th annual 2021 Backpack and School Supply Drive that took place in July 2021. Due to continued pandemic related restrictions, an in-person give away was not possible again this year. Instead, LFFG volunteers were able to partner with the Lockport School District to obtain referrals, and then stepped up to deliver backpacks directly to the homes of local families in need. Those families that could not be reached at home, had their child’s backpack delivered to their classroom on the first day of school. We all recognize that the cost of school supplies can be overwhelming for many families, especially with the hardships they have felt these last two years. Through this tremendous effort, the Lockport Family Focus group was able to fill a significant need for over 200 local kids.

We would especially like to thank and recognize the following: (in alphabetical order)

Agency Donors:
American Red Cross * Emerling Floss Murphy & Associates * Grigg Lewis Foundation * Kiwanis Club of Lockport * Lockport Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division II * Lockport City School District * Madonna House * Morlock Foundation * Niagara University *The Chapel

Community Donors:
Brooke Burrows & Family  * Chris Smith * Denise Wertman * Marisa Morgan & Family * Mollie Roland * Stacey Stoll

Volunteers:
Brooke Burrows, Grigg Lewis Foundation * Bruce Pivetz, Kiwanis Club Lockport * Chris Smith, Grigg Lewis Foundation * Dec. Martha Farone, Christ Episcopal Church * Jenna Dellaccio, American Red Cross * Jim McMullen, Iroquois Trail Council Boy Scouts of America * Kathy Zunner, Veterans One-Stop Center of WNY * Ken Jones, Pinnacle Community Services * Mollie Roland, LPAC * Sue Capell, Youth Mentoring Services

 To The Lockport Family Focus Group and our local non-profit agencies,

The Grigg Lewis Foundation would like to express our appreciation and pride in Eastern Niagara County, in the residents and the nonprofit agencies that serve them in the ability to forge ahead as powerful change makers at home, in the community and in their daily work. 

In honoring the wishes of our Founder, we give for the sake of giving not for recognition, to foster relationships and partnerships, and to work towards the greater good of all. We strive to promote hope in the community, empower them with optimism, and demonstrate through our own actions the need for equality, awareness, compassion, acceptance, respect, cooperation, empathy, and tolerance. 

We realize that it is important that our community knows that we are available to them. Collaborating with our local nonprofits who work on the frontlines and who are best able to identify needs, we will continue to listen, learn, and act to better the lives of our local residents. We recognize the need to have deeper conversations with our nonprofits where we learn, absorb, and reflect on our own principles and practices in order to enable continuous improvement and remain a community resource. We will continue to bring stakeholders together to develop shared initiatives and programs; to foster partnerships that are inclusive and promote network building through monthly meetings where our local nonprofits share programs and issues that face our residents. We believe in our community’s ability to work together to break down all types of barriers in a peaceful and constructive manner.  We hope to share our learning journey with all of you, and we will continue to be guided by your work.

The Grigg Lewis Foundation does not run programming, but we support those of you who do. We thank you for remaining collaborative and transparent in your efforts to institute real change and growth. We are in your corner and our doors and hearts are open to all ideas and discussions.

Grigg Lewis Foundation, Inc.  Board and Staff